Provision.

Just hanging out in the Queen's backyard. :)

How have four months in England past so incredibly quickly? It feels like just yesterday I was holding my breath for my visa to be approved. Time really does fly when you are having fun.

I know there has been a serious lack of personal updates from me on this blog. I could give excuses but the reality is that I've been busy. That's a good thing. I came here to serve and be busy. I'm happy that I have been able to fulfill both of those things. 

The summer has been full. Full of wonderful people, visitors, royal experiences, lives touched, and rooms cleaned. I wouldn't change a minute of it. 

There are lots of stories I could write for this post but the thing I want to talk about most is God's provision. From the very beginning of my planning to come to England God had provided in miraculous ways. But I haven't just seen God's provision in my own life. I've seen it in the lives of my friends and others who have come to serve at NTC. Two particular things come to mind. (I'll share one in this post and the second in another.) 

The first is how God used a Work and Witness team to accomplish so much more than originally anticipated. A Work and Witness team arrived to work on the kitchen and chapel here in July but because of some unexpected circumstances they were unable to work at the college. This was obviously a disappointment for them and for the college, but this is where God's plan and provision come shining through. The college put out a call to local churches and supporters of the college and the work that needed to be accomplished at the college was still completed as planned thanks to several dozen volunteers. 

This meant that the Work and Witness team were able to do other things. They reached people and communities that they would not have, had they been able to work at the college. 

God provided for the college as well as for the team. In a way double was accomplished.  Multiple communities were touched instead of just one. His plan and provision was bigger and better than ours. I'm so thankful for His provision!

Here are a few pictures from my visit to London...

The People of NTC...4

Rachel Varughese

- What do you do at NTC?

Three days a week I work as the receptionist and two days a week I do graphic design.

- Where are you from?

I’m from Mount Vernon, Ohio. 

- How long have you been at NTC?

I have been in my current position for two years and was a volunteer for a year between 2007 and 2008.

- How did you hear about NTC?

Through my dad who’s a professor at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. I was looking for a place to work or volunteer in England and he suggested here. 

- What is your favorite thing about working at NTC?

The people I work with.

- What do you find challenging about your job?

  Trying to balance the everyday needs without feeling like I’ve neglected anything.

- What is your favorite memory from your time here?

I would say it is usually graduation. It’s always so wonderful to see students that have worked so hard receive their degrees and to see how proud their families are of them. Graduation is always like the payoff…it’s the reason why we work here and do what we do. 

- If you only had one word to describe NTC what would it be?

Community.

- What is your favorite activity in Manchester?

Probably going to see plays at the Royal Exchange Theater or seeing local bands.

- What’s it like working with people from so many different countries?

Anytime there is a holiday or celebration I get to hear about other people’s traditions and cultures. 

I've known Rachel since I was a student at NTC. She was a volunteer back then. I love that whenever I am around Rachel she always has a smile. She was one of the first to welcome me back when I arrived in May. She's lovely, friendly, and so very hospitable, making her a great person to have in reception. Please join me in prayer this week for Rachel and the work she does at NTC. 

The People of NTC...3

Maria Rosa Curcuruto

- What do you do at NTC?

    I am a volunteer in housekeeping. I clean classrooms, rooms, offices, and sometimes I make coffee for coffee break.

- Where are you from?

    Sicily, Italy. 

- How long have you been at NTC?

    Since May until August. 

- How did you hear about NTC?

    From my pastor and my friend.

- What is your favorite thing about working at NTC? 

    I like being with the Christian people. 

- What do you find challenging about your job?

    Sometimes cleaning is very tiring. Especially spring cleaning. 

- What is your favorite memory from your time here?

    Just the fellowship with the other workers and volunteers. 

- If you only had one word to describe NTC what would it be?

    Fellowship. 

- What is your favorite activity in Manchester?

    Walking, shopping and going to the park. 

- What’s it like working with people from so many different countries?

    It’s nice because you can know different cultures and you can know people with different personalities. 

Maria Rosa and her friend Azzurra arrived at NTC to volunteer right around the same time as me. We attend the same church and have gotten close. Please pray for them as they continue to learn English and continue their theological education. 

The People of NTC...2

Pru Stubbs

- What do you do at NTC?

    I am officially a housekeeping assistant. I wage a personal war against finger prints and coffee cups being left on the table. But I always have time to listen to students and I’m there with a friendly smile and heartfelt prayers.

- Where are you from?

    I was born in Lincoln, England. I am half English, half Australian. I’ve also lived in American so I have a strange accent that is hard to place. 

- How long have you been at NTC?

    I have lived on campus at NTC since September 2010 with my husband, who is a student. I began working here December 2011.

- How did you hear about NTC?

    My husband was called to theology college, which was surprising to us because he had always said he wasn’t going to speak but God continued to call him. We had a google search for Theology colleges in Manchester and the first site was NTC. They were having an open day two weeks later so we booked and came on campus and had a real sense of peace when we arrived. 

- What is your favorite thing about working at NTC?

    I love that I get to spend time with and look after students who are learning about and growing with God. It’s the satisfaction of being able to see a place that is helping God’s kingdom grow be clean and tidy. Also, I can take naps in between jobs because I live on campus.  

- What do you find challenging about your job?

    Fingerprints. Cups being left. Chewing gum. The recycling not being done. Because where I’m working is where I’m serving God, so when I see these things it makes me sad that the space isn’t always seen in the same light. 

- What is your favorite memory from your time here?

    My husband graduating. Seeing him get three awards and enjoying the garden party as a guest instead of a worker. Also, people asking him if his ponytail was real or not. 

- If you only had one word to describe NTC what would it be?

    Family. 

- What is your favorite activity in Manchester?

    I like going to Media City. (Media City is the second biggest base for the BBC outside of London. Also, Pru’s dream employer.) 

- What’s it like working with people from so many different countries?

    Satisfying at “bring and share” meals. It is satisfying because when people are sharing foods from their own country you get to see a different side of them. You get to better understand who they are and learn more about their background.   

What I love about Pru is that she really is always there for people. She has such a tender and open heart. She loves people and sees her job as ministry. Pru is never short on enthusiasm and I love that about her. Please join me in prayer this week for Pru and the work she does at NTC. 

Introducing...The People of NTC.

I thought it would be fun to start a series on this blog entitled "The People of NTC." It started out as a simple idea for you to get to know some of the people that make NTC the amazing community that it is. The simple idea turned out to be a little bigger for me personally. 

As I have started to interview people, I found myself reminded of how rewarding it is to hear other's stories, to share stories. I ask everyone the same questions but everyone has different answers and to me that is part of what makes us as humans so beautiful and so special. Everyone has a story. Everyone's story deserves to be heard. 

I am truly blessed to be able to work along side these people. I am blessed to not only call them colleagues but friends. I hope you enjoy hearing a little bit of their stories as much as I did. 

Simona Ciufu 

- What do you do at NTC?

     I am the housekeeper. 

- Where are you from?

     Bucharest, Romania 

- How long have you been at NTC?

     Almost 3 years.

- How did you hear about NTC?

     Through my local Nazarene pastor.

- What is your favorite thing about working at NTC?

     The community and of course the students.

- What do you find challenging about your job?

     Organizing and executing graduation. It ended up being a success because of the amazing helpers that I had. 

- What is your favorite memory from your time here?

     The Christmas party two years ago…we did an international meal where we had lots of different foods. Everyone had the chance to stand up and say what their Christmas traditions are and what kinds of foods they eat.

- If you only had one word to describe NTC what would it be?

     Community.

- What is your favorite activity in Manchester?

     Going to the Cinema and taking walks in the parks.

- What’s it like working with people from so many different countries?

     I think it is nice to see how people do things differently when they come from a different country. Even if they have lived here a long time it’s hard to forget your background. 

I work directly with Simona everyday. She is one of the most hard working people that I have ever known. Her laid back attitude and disposition make her the perfect person for her job.  Please join me in prayer this week for Simona and the wonderful work she does at NTC. 

The British Summer.

Even though I spent about three years at NTC, I was never in England during the summer. Let me just say we have been having FANTASTIC weather. It's been in the low 70's with tons of sunshine. I'm soaking it up because England being England...it will rain again. 

Last week was a busy work week full of meetings, lunches, and students coming and going. Even though the work week was busy I still managed to have some fun. 

Wednesday night I was able to go to the Didsbury Craft Club. This is a craft club that takes place once a month and is put on by the Didsbury Community Church. The Didsbury Community Church is a church that meets here on the NTC campus. The craft club is a great way for the church to reach out to the local community. It was fun to meet new people. There were several people there from the community as well as people from the church. We made ribbon flowers and some other paper crafts. I made some birthday cards! 

Friday night I went to the Levenshulme Food and Drink Festival with a couple of friends. I had a fantastic burger and the most delicious brownies I have ever tasted. It was fun to go somewhere new and enjoy the sunshine. 

Saturday was once again beautiful outside so I decided to go to the City Center. As you can see from the pictures a lot of other people decided to enjoy the weather and get outside. I love the vibe of the big city in the summer. 

Ok... so this particular picture looks like it wasn't very sunny but it was.
These clouds went away five minutes later.  

Sunday after church the pastor and his wife invited myself and a couple of friends over for a BBQ. We spent the whole day sitting outside enjoying food, the weather, and fellowship. We all have slightly pink faces today to prove it. 

It was a busy week but a very very nice week. I'm so glad I'm here. 

Community and Squirrel-gate 2014.

Community.

One word that has come into my mind several times in the five weeks that I have been here is community. NTC is a community itself but it is also connected to several other communities. NTC is like a hub. You never know who you are going to run into. You never know who you will meet for the first time. It's exciting. 

I'm blessed to be a part of the NTC community and the community that is the Church of the Nazarene. We are a connected church, we are a global church. It's amazing to be able to hear and see what God is doing in other communities connected to NTC. 

Squirrel-gate 2014.

So...there are a lot of squirrels here. Especially around the NTC campus. They are pretty mischievous and pretty greedy when it comes to food. They have chewed a hole in the lid of our dumpster and it's pretty common procedure to kick the side of the dumpster before you open it so you don't have a squirrel jumping towards your face. 

Last week, in the building where I stay, a squirrel came in through an open window. It was found by some students (after it had made a mess and eaten some people's food) and promptly shooed out the window again. 

The next morning we awoke to find the window sill chewed to bits and another mess made in the kitchen. Thus began the squirrel hunt. Apparently not one but two squirrels came in the previous day and one had been hiding somewhere in the kitchen. After a day of searching, said squirrel was finally found and shooed. It hasn't been seen since. 

We thought we had found all the "squirrel damage" until I went to open the freezer yesterday evening. We think that the squirrel knocked the freezer plug out of the outlet resulting in a defrosted freezer and rotten food. "The squirrel strikes again!" was my thought. It has provided us with a good laugh and will be hence forth known as "Squirrel-gate 2014!"

Hope you have a great (squirrel free) weekend!